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It looks like we may not have anyone here who knows a lot about the City schools and autism. I know that the City does have an autistic support program, but you may need to reach out to the local autism community to get more specific information about schools in the City.
The only thing that worries me is the affordability of these areas that fall into the north allegheny school district. I need to be at 1000 a month or under for a 2 bedroom. I will be doing much more research on these areas tonight and until i find the right fit.
My Daughter lives in McCandless Twp. in a modern 2 bedroom apt with security entrances that's just $730/Mo.
As far as services for the special needs goes....
Pennsylvania at one time was a model state, but that was 35 years ago. It has fallen way behind other states since then. You can get the services, but you must fight for them. Some schools will actually tell you that you must sue them to get what they even agree the child needs.
I have no idea how involved your child is as Autism, as you know, can be very mild to very extreme. My Son excelled when he was in a "special school", but the state decided that mainstreaming was the answer to everything. They even went as far as condemning the building to force the kids out! (funny that the same building is now being used for administration offices????) But not every kid is best served that way no matter how hard you to try to fit a square peg into a round hole. His Autism involved sensory overload in crowed situations, so it was no surprise to us that he had melt-downs in a mainstream school setting. But, they know better than the parents who live with the child every minute of every day.
It looks like we may not have anyone here who knows a lot about the City schools and autism. I know that the City does have an autistic support program, but you may need to reach out to the local autism community to get more specific information about schools in the City.
There is the Autism Society of Pittsburgh (which Myron Cope and his wife founded)
The local Autism Speaks
And you might want to contact the Allegheny Valley School, an institution specializing in intellectual developmental disabilities
I already mentioned the Intermediate Unit and you could contact Allegheny County MH-MR
The Pine-Richland School District is long considered one of the best in this region for its strong advocacy of the needs of special needs children. They have a full inclusion program, where your child is taught with his/her peers for most (if not all) of the school day. They have the special education teachers who are in the classes with your child (less segregation and more support in the least restrictive environment). How do I know so much about their programs? My son has a form of autism, and is receiving a phenomenal education to match his special needs.
I should have added the caveat that I'm not against mainstreaming as long as it's done on an individual basis for those kids that can benefit most from it.
It just wasn't the right move for my own son's case.
I should have added the caveat that I'm not against mainstreaming as long as it's done on an individual basis for those kids that can benefit most from it.
It just wasn't the right move for my own son's case.
Only you can determine what is best for your son. There is such a wide spectrum of needs and abilities for the child born with autism. We could be talking about the future Bill Gates, and a level of unique intelligence that could guide our children to grow to be one of the world's next great scientists, scholars, etc. We could also have an autistic child whose needs are so significant that he/she is unable to communicate at all.... school will forever be challenging because his/her other needs stemming from autism seem to override all attempts at becoming an eventual independent adult. Hopefully, you will be able to find the answer that you seek. Once again, the very best of luck!!
The Pine-Richland School District is long considered one of the best in this region for its strong advocacy of the needs of special needs children. They have a full inclusion program, where your child is taught with his/her peers for most (if not all) of the school day. They have the special education teachers who are in the classes with your child (less segregation and more support in the least restrictive environment). How do I know so much about their programs? My son has a form of autism, and is receiving a phenomenal education to match his special needs.
Good luck!!
Thanks for the advice, i will look into this area as well. My son is supposed to be in 2nd grade right now but because the school did not listen to us 2 years ago and they did not take our word nor the doctors that he was autistic, they disagreed with us and mainstreamed him. He fell back and had to repeat the 1st grade. We fought and fought with the schools until they finally tested him with their own specialists and we had his IEP meeting. They finally got the testing done to find out he is on the spectrum. He is not severe, but he has very individual needs like most autistic children. Inclusion seemed to work best for my son as well, when he had that for less than a year. We moved due to financial reasons (loss of job) and he had to change schools. How affordable is the pine richland area? How far of a commute would it be to the riverfront next to heinz stadium? Thanks for the info
Richland Township is less pricey than Pine Township, but that's because it's less convenient to the city. Much of Richland is more rural as well. A commute from most parts of Richland could be tough, well over 30 minutes, but you might find a spot that works somewhere. Parts of Pine are considered "Wexford" and parts of Richland, "Gibsonia". But in looking for places to live that are labeled with Gibsonia or especially with Wexford you'll need to confirm what actual municipality they're in so that you know you're getting the school district you're looking for. (Same as I mentioned before with N. Allegheny.)
Good luck with it. I don't know details of the school programs (though I know both school districts are excellent in general), just the locations and quirks of the place names. All those areas up there are fine places to live, but expect to have to drive pretty much everywhere.
Richland Township is less pricey than Pine Township, but that's because it's less convenient to the city. Much of Richland is more rural as well. A commute from most parts of Richland could be tough, well over 30 minutes, but you might find a spot that works somewhere. Parts of Pine are considered "Wexford" and parts of Richland, "Gibsonia". But in looking for places to live that are labeled with Gibsonia or especially with Wexford you'll need to confirm what actual municipality they're in so that you know you're getting the school district you're looking for. (Same as I mentioned before with N. Allegheny.)
Good luck with it. I don't know details of the school programs (though I know both school districts are excellent in general), just the locations and quirks of the place names. All those areas up there are fine places to live, but expect to have to drive pretty much everywhere.
Thanks for the insight on those areas. I'm going to make some phone calls tomm. to the necessary people to find out more from some info I was given by some very helpful people on this board.
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